This chapter does not include any episodes, and is an original mission
"Are you hungry?" I looked up to see Ami looking past me. I turned to see Angel who had waken up, and walked into the room we were in, eating dinner. I saw that the Prince was in the corner of the room, watching us, irritating me. I turned back to Angel, and smiled, motioning her back over to us. Shikamaru sat on my left, and Naruto was sitting across from me.
"Yes." She replied, sitting next to Naruto. Ami reached over, handing her some soup.
"Sorry for vomiting on you." Angel spoke, looking at Naruto ashamed.
"It's okay!" Naruto grinned. "I know you couldn't help it." Angel smiled at Naruto, eating her soup.
"You two are cute." Aoi said, making Angel choke on her soup. "And your tail is out." She said, smirking. I giggled and ate my soup quietly, watching Naruto and Angel with a smile. I hadn't even noticed that Angel's tail was out to be honest. Angel stopped choking and sighed in response.
"Gotta brush it anyways.." Her face was still red, her team smirking at her, while Naruto was looking at them confused.
"May I brush it?" A creepy voice suddenly asked, the Prince standing closer.
"Um, no." Angel said, looking at him creeped out. I looked at the Prince with annoyance. Instead of saying anything though, I stood up and stretched, yawning.
"Welp, I think it's probably a good time to sleep." I said through the yawn. Shikamaru nodded and looked at all of us.
"Get some rest guys. We'll be there tomorrow night."
The darkness was swallowing me hole. Where was I? It was some sort of hallway. I walked slowly down it, following the path until I felt a hand grab me. I gasped and turned around. Sasuke. He was wearing what looked like a white kimono with Orochimaru's signature purple rope around his waist.
"Sasuke?" I asked confused. "Where are we?" He hn'd, and then looked at me.
"Let's go home." He said. I gave a small smile and nodded.
"Okay." I turned and took a step forward when a sword pierced my back, through my chest. I gasped, blood spurting out of my mouth and onto the floor. I gasped for breath, the sword pulling itself out of my chest. I gasped again and leaned against the wall, turning to look at him. Pieces of his face was ripped away, revealing Orochimaru's eye and cheek. I felt myself start to panic. How did i get here? Orochimaru grinned sickly, his left eye changing into the Sharingan.
"Looks like if I cant have you, you'll just have to die." He killed Sasuke. He's wearing his body.
"Chidori Stream!" Orochimaru and Sasuke's voice said at the time, electricity hitting me. I screamed out in pain, feeling the shock going through my entire being.
I sat up and screamed, feeling my body burning, sweat soaking my face.
"Tess?!" I heard Ami shout, the light turning on. Ami walked forward, leaning down and putting her hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes. "Are you okay sweetheart?" She asked in a motherly voice. I saw her tail sticking out, it being light red. I felt some tears fall down my face and covered it with my hands, my body shaking in fear. It wasn't real. But it felt so real.
"H-He got Sasuke.." I only said, feeling myself tremble under Ami's hands.
"It's okay. I know." She said softly, pulling me into a hug. I felt someone rubbing circles on my back comfortingly. I let sobs escape my chest, crying into Ami's shoulder.
"H-He took his body, Sasuke's gone..but..when he's older..." I said, my voice wavering.
"We'll talk to Lady Tsunade about it when we get back to the village." Ami said softly. I nodded, and stopped crying, suddenly hearing the pounding rain, and shouting.
"W-What's going on?" I asked, pulling away and wiping the sweat and tears off my face. Thunder sounded over us, and I realized the boat was rocking a little too much for comfort.
"Looks like a bad storm." Ami said. "You okay Angel?" Ami asked, looking at her.
"Yes, I'm good." She replied, giving a fake smile. Suddenly there was a loud crash of water, making me hit the wall my bed was against with my arm, my hand on it to stabilize myself.
"That didn't sound good." I said, looking at Ami.
"I hate water." Angel said, clearly trying not to freak out again.
"I hope the boys are okay." Ami said, worried.
"Naruto sleeps like the dead, nothing can wake him." Angel replied. I flung the sheets aside, placing my feet on the wooden floor and getting up.
"We better go hel-" I was cut off by a loud crack in the sky, followed by more shouts. At the same time, I heard more water crash against the boat, flinging me into the wall yet again. "Shit!" I cursed, rubbing my arm.
"You okay?!" Sango asked, running over. I nodded and forced myself to a stand.
"I'm fine, we gotta go help. Use your chakra to your feet to make sure you don't go flying!"
"O-Okay.." Angel said. I shook my head.
"Angel, stay here. We don't need you going overboard, and you're not in your best mindset right now. We'll handle it." I said with a smile, nodding at her.
"Stay here in the room, we'll be fine." Ami smiled at her. She nodded, sitting on her bed.
"Come on!" I said to the others, running quickly out and down the hallway and up to the deck. When we got there, the boys were all in their pajamas, trying to help the crew. I felt the cold rain hitting my legs and already starting to soak my pajamas, but I ignored it, knowing it wasn't important.
"Tessa, grab on!" Shikamaru yelled from his spot, holding onto a rope with all he could. I nodded, running over and grabbing it, placing chakra at the bottom of my feet and planting myself solidly. Ami and the others followed me, doing the same.
"Thank god Angel didn't come!" Aoi yelled, holding the rope. I gritted my teeth as the wind pulled the sail against us. There was a loud crash of thunder, and after, lightning struck the top of the ship, catching the pole and ropes on fire.
"Shit! Who's got water jutsu?!" I shouted, looking around. If only we had Kakashi, didn't he say he cut lightning with Chidori? I could really use it right now.
"Me!" Ami and Sango said at the same time.
"Quick, put it out!" Shikamaru yelled over the storm. Ami and Sango nodded, jumping up and making handsigns. A large Shark made out of water came out of the ocean, flying over the ship before dissipating, the water falling over us and putting the fire out.
"I gotta get up there to block the lightning!" I yelled, letting go of the rope and jumping up to the burnt pole, balancing and using my chakra to keep myself up there.
"Be careful!" Sango yelled. As she said that, lightning came down again, this time going to the deck. I reached my arm out, just barely stopping it. Damn, that shit is fast! I looked to see Naruto and a bunch of his clones trying to steady the sail, retying ropes to it. Below me, Sango ran forward, trying to get to Naruto to help him.
"Oh shit!" I heard Kiba's voice shout. I turned and gasped, my eyes widening as a large tidal wave came crashing towards us.
"Everybody brace yourselves!" I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted, pointing at the wave. I looked up in time to see lightning coming down again, my chest beating fast. If that hit, they'd all be electrocuted! I bit my lip and quickly put a shield down, barely blocking it again. It successfully blocked it, but as the wave hit the ship, my bare foot slipped, me sliding off the top of the pole, water washing onto the deck below me.
"Shit!" I yelled. I looked down at the deck, being overcome with water, and moved in the air as much as i could, making my back face the ground. It would hurt, but i think I'd be fine. I think. "Shit shit shit!" I braced myself for the impact. I hit the deck on my back with a thud, the water giving me a slightly softer landing, but not by much. I felt my head hit the deck pretty hard as well. I turned my head the slightest bit, seeing Naruto running over yelling for someone, but it was all distorted for me, my vision blurring in and out.
"Tess?" I heard Aoi's voice say, her running over. She stopped beside me, and focused, trying to start healing me. I couldn't say anything, my head pounding and my back aching. I opened my mouth to say something but blacked out before I could.
I groaned, feeling something soft underneath me. My back still ached, and my head was pounding like a headache.
"Tess?" I heard beside me.
"Are we dead?" I joked, forcing my eyes open.
"Yes, this is the First Hokage." Ami replied, joking. I chuckled lightly, sitting myself up with a groan, the room slightly spinning.
"What happened?" I asked, putting my hand on my head. "My head is killing me. So is my back."
"You fell off the pole, making me have 46 heart attacks." Ami replied.
"IS that your age?" Angel joked beside her, making Ami glare at her. Angel jumped at her glare, closing her mouth.
"You were reckless. Again." I looked up to see Shikamaru standing in the doorway, leaning against it and looking at me with his arms crossed. I chuckled.
"Yeah yeah, I know, you already gave this lecture, remember?" I smirked the slightest bit.
"I was hyperventilating while everyone else was working hard. I feel like shit, honestly." Angel said, looking down. I shook my head.
"I'm glad you didn't go out there. You would've for sure fallen overboard, and then we would've had a bigger problem."
"Naruto would've been the first one to jump in to save her." Aoi spoke, tensing.
"S-Stop, he'd do that for Sakura, not me.." Angel said, turning away. I giggled at Angel, but then stopped.
"Sakura is my teammate. I like her in general but I don't like the way she treats Naruto." I said, looking at Aoi.
"I do remember Naruto asking a girl with pink hair and green eyes out to the party at the academy, but she said 'Ew no' and left Naruto alone." Angel replied. I scoffed, looking away.
"She treats him like shit. Now that I know he's my brother, there's no way in hell she gets to fuck with him." Shikamaru walked over and sat down next to me, sighing.
"You guys are gonna be insanely protective over each other now, I know it." Shikamaru lightly complained. I giggled and shook my head.
"After we fought Zaku together in the forst of death, I dont know if I could without a really good reason." I responded, sharing a knowing look with Shikamaru. We both remembered Sakura and I fighting for Naruto and Sasuke's lives. For our own. Sakura had a newfound strength then, and I respected her for it.
"Looks like mom already changed and poofed to the deck." Angel said, changing the subject.
"Your mom has to teach me that Jutsu." Aoi said, looking at her. Shikamaru looked like he wanted to do something making me giving him a questioning look, but he didn't do whatever it was.
"I'm glad you're okay." He spoke softly, standing up and walking out of our room. Shikamaru I knew didn't like being affectionate in front of others, so that was probably it.
"I gotta see water again.." Angel said.
"You'll be fine." Sango replied.
"Tess, can you stand?" I nodded, touching my bare feet to the wooden floor, forcing myself to a stand. I groaned at the dull ache in my head and back, but ignored it, standing up straight.
"Can't any of you do anything to make my head stop pounding and my back stop hurting?" I whined.
"I think I got some pain killers in my medical bag." Aoi said, finding her bag and digging through them.
"Pleaaase." I whined. "I'm ready to be back to normal." While she was digging in her bag, I turned to stuff, about to pull my large shirt off to change it when the door burst open.
"Tess!" Naruto's voice shouted, followed by a 90 lb body slamming into mine, knocking me over, arms wrapping around me.
"Ow, Naruto!"
"Naruto, gently please." Angel said. Naruto ignored Angel, hugging me tightly still.
"You're okay!" I gently pulled his arms off of me and sat up.
"Of course I am. What are you doing?" I asked, raising my eyebrow and looking at him confused, ignoring the pain now in my arm. Naruto looked at me sort of sheepishly.
"Well...you're family now, and I got worried about you..and we gotta stick together." He gave me an innocent smile, making me look at him with slightly widened eyes.
"Oh..Naruto.." i smiled softly, and hugged him around his neck. I finally giggled and pulled away. "Okay, okay, I love you as a brother, but now you gotta get out so I can get dressed." He laughed and stood up.
"Okay! See you up top!" He disappeared. I sighed looking at him hopelessly before shutting the door, laughing.
"I can't believe he's my brother."
"I want a hug too!" Angel ran over and hugged me. I hugged her back with a smile and then nodded, going back and getting dressed, also taking the medicine that Aoi got me once she found it. Once I was done, I headed up towards the deck, the water much calmer than before. I could Angel shaking the slightest bit.
"Angel, you okay?" Aoi asked.
"I'm good." She gave a fake smile, sitting down.
"Hey.." a voice said, making us look up. Kiba was looking at us warily.
"What?" Angel asked, looking at him and trying not to panic still from the water. He sighed.
"Look, I..i wanna say I'm sorry. For everything."
"Huh?" I looked at him with slight shock. Angel was silent, not saying anything. He looked at us sincerely.
"Look, I'm an asshole, okay? I'm sorry. To both of you." I shared a look with Angel, both of us raising our eyebrows. I looked at her back, but then nodded.
"Thank you for your apology Kiba. I accept it." He smiled, and then looked at Angel hopefully. "I accept the apology Kiba, but the trauma you caused, will probably never go away." Angel said, closing her eyes and trying to calm down. Kiba's Face fell making me actually feel kind of bad For him.
"Wait, What If we try to slowly introduce you to water?" He asked just as hopefully.
"That might work. My therapist did say to try to at least put my feet in the water." Angel said, looking up at Kiba. I smiled in excitement.
"Oh, oh, I'll help! We'll get you to have fun in water in no time!" I grinned.
"It might have to wait a bit." Shikamaru's voice said. "We're here." I looked forward and saw a massive Island in front of us. The Prince suddenly ran out of his cabin and yelled.
"I'm hoooooome!" I hid a laugh at the Prince's reaction. Shikamaru called all of us close, and we stopped in a circle around him.
"Alright, we should be okay here, but just in case, we're gonna circle around the caravan. Kiba, you've got point. The rest of us, it doesn't matter, we just need to make sure we've got the prince covered."
"Lets hurry and get him home so we can go already." I whispered to Shikamaru who nodded. After the Caravan was unloaded, we started our way towards the castle through the forest.
"Land!" Angel shouted dramatically. I giggled as we took formation around the Prince's carriage, us moving forward. I looked around as we walked, seeing just how beautiful the Land of Moon was. As we continued walking, the trail went slightly uphill for some time, until we were way up high, a raging river down below next to us off the cliff. I stopped for a second, feeling a burst of chakra suddenly appear. Shikamaru heard me stop and looked over.
"What's up?" I opened my mouth to say something when a huge burst of wind came out of the forest, slamming into all of us. I felt it leaving cuts all over my arms as i tried to block it, but the chakra was too great, and i felt myself get thrown backwards.
"Aahh!" I saw Shikamaru, Naruto, and Angel falling backwards off the small cliff we were on, before plunging into the raging river below.
"NO NO NO NO!" Angel screamed, as we were falling. I looked over to see Naruto grab her, wrapping his arms around her before we crashed into the river. I fell a few feet under the water when i hit it, but started being pulled by the river, me trying to put my head over the surface. When I did, I saw that already I was being separated from Shikamaru, Naruto and Angel.
"Naruto! Shika!" I yelled over the water, trying to stop myself from moving. Shikamaru's head popped up from under the water, him having just as much difficulty.
"Shikamaru! Tessa!" I heard Naruto's voice yell over the sound of the river, him still holding Angel who's body was limp.
"Grab my hand!" I yelled, trying to reach for both Naruto and Shikamaru, fighting against the river. They both started reaching for it when something slammed into my leg, making me yell in pain.
"Tess!" Naruto shouted. I looked and started seeing we were headed down the river, rocks getting bigger and more dangerous. I looked to see which way the current was going, my eyes widening at the sight of a waterfall coming towards us. I turned towards the others to see Naruto trying to wake Angel up, shaking her.
"Angel, wake up!" I yelled, trying to fight the current. It was no use though, the water was way too strong. I saw Angel's eyes open, but she looked weak. She threw a kunai over the waterfall, towards the earth on the side of the river.
"G-Grab..onto me.." She said, barely able to get it out. Shikamaru grabbed on, but I knew I couldn't make it to her.
"Go without me, I'll see you down there!" I shouted.
"Tessa!" Naruto reached out.
"Go!" I saw Angel look at me regretfully, before she disappeared with Naruto and Shikamaru. I sighed in relief that they were gone, and turned to the waterfall. "Alright you bastard, come on then!" When I got to the edge, I fell with the water, a scream leaving my mouth before taking a big gulp of air, landing under the water. I came up above the water to see Naruto and Shikamaru on the defensive. Before I could get out of the water, a hand grabbed me by my hair and shoved me back down in the water, holding my head under it. I reached up, scratching and clawing at the hand, but had no success, the breath starting to run out of my lungs. I made a kunai out of my magic and used it, stabbing it into the arm of the person who had me. They let go, pulling their arm back and I forced my head over the water, holding onto it with my chakra in my hands to hold myself over it. I gasped for breath but was ready to defend myself again, when I heard a voice.
"We're retreating, let's go!" I looked just in time to see the ninja disappear, before coughing up some water. I couldn't crawl over to the land, but Shikamaru ran over, wrapping my arm around his shoulder and helping me up. I coughed out some more water until I coughed so hard that I threw up into the water. Gross, I thought. I started to feel everything then, and I winced at the pain in my leg. I looked down and saw a massive cut on it, probably from the rock from earlier.
"M-My leg.." I panted.
"A-Are you hurt?" Angel struggled to say.
"Come on, we gotta get out of the open right here." Shikamaru and I looked up and saw a dark cut in the cliff next to the waterfall. "It looks like there's a cave behind it. Let's go. Naruto, grab Angel."
"Right!" Naruto said. Shikamaru picked me up from under my legs and lifted me up, a sharp inhale leaving my lips.
"I'll h-heal you..Tess.." Angel said slowly, as Naruto and Shikamaru carried us into the cave. I shook my head.
"Just rest Angel." I said ignoring the pain. "I'll be fine for a bit." Shikamaru gently set me down once we got inside the cave behind the waterfall.
"Naruto, can you go get some wood so we can start a fire? We should be fine behind this waterfall." Naruto nodded, gently setting Angel down against the cave wall and disappearing from the darkness back into the light.
"I-I'm sorry. If I hadn't blacked out in the water, this wouldn't have happened." Angel's voice said. I shook my head, though I realized she probably couldn't see it in the darkness.
"Its okay Angel. We all have fears, and you both know mine." I said, a familiar pale face coming to mind.
"What happened?" Shikamaru asked, sighing. "We almost made it too."
"It was some sort of wind Jutsu. Knocked us right out. I felt a chakra burst just before it happened."
"I didn't sense any ninja before, so they must have hid their chakra.." Angel replied. I nodded.
"They're somehow masking it. I didnt feel it when we got down here either." I said, a scowl on my face. "I'm gonna kill the bitch that tried to drown me." Angel laughed slightly before getting running to the cave entrance, vomiting outside the cave. I coughed up a little more water as well, annoyed as hell.
"I'm sorry, there were others after Naruto and I. We wanted to help, but they were stopping us."
"It's okay." I smiled. I heard running make me yank out a kunai as fast as possible. Naruto's voice then yelled.
"Ew, Angel!" I let out a sigh, relaxing a bit. Just Naruto.
"Bite me.." I heard Angel say, panting for breath. Naruto ignored her and walked in, dropping what sounded like wood. I heard him messing with it a bit, until he spoke.
"Alright, it's ready for fire." I nodded, and made some handsigns.
"Ninja art: Fireball jutsu." I made a small fireball, hitting the wood and lighting up the cave. I saw Angel stumble back in before falling to the ground, making me lean forward.
"Angel?!" Naruto shouted. I crawled over to her, ignoring the pain in my leg and pressed my hand to her neck. She had a pulse. I put my hand to her forehead and felt it was extremely hot.
"She's alive. But she's burning up with a fever." I said, looking at Shikamaru and Naruto worriedly. "Naruto, can you go get some water? I have a bottle in my bag. Shika, we need blankets, anything warm." Shikamaru looked at me apologetically.
"All the blankets are with Ami and Aoi." I sighed, thinking.
"Can you put her closer to the fire? It'll keep her warm." Shikamaru nodded and grabbed Angel, pulling her closer but not close enough for her to catch on fire. I don't know if I could heal her fever just yet. Same with my leg. The rock sliced me right open. Shikamaru sat next to me, me sitting next to Angel, and pulled me close, letting me lean my head against his shoulder. I felt a little more relaxed, but still felt wary about the ninja out there and the rest of our team.
"They'll be fine." Shikamaru spoke, like he was reading my mind. "They've got Ami and Kiba, and he can smell them a mile away." I sighed.
"Yeah, but they still got us."
"Let's just try to rest and go from what we've got tomorrow. I'll keep watch." Shikamaru said. I nodded, my head still on his shoulder. Naruto nodded, laying down next to Angel and sighing. After a few moments of quiet, I heard him snoring. I looked over to see him laying close to her, his jacket laying on top of her.
"What do you think happened to the Prince?" I asked Shikamaru softly, breaking the silence.
"I don't know. All we can hope is that he's alive." I nodded and tilted my head up, looking at him. He looked at me and gave a gentle smile. "Don't look at me like that. It's not your fault." I bit my lip, and he sighed. "Troublesome woman." I smiled the slightest bit, seeing his face glowing in the light. His features showed prominently in the light, showing just how handsome he was. Before I realized it, we were both leaning forward. I closed my eyes and I felt a soft touch of his lips to mine, making my heart explode. Damn, is this how it feels to kiss someone? I could feel my heart pounding, and then just like that, Shikamaru pulled away the slightest bit, taking every last bit of my breath with him. I stared at him with my face burning, unsure what to say. I opened my mouth, but he smirked. "Don't ruin it." I smiled and shut my mouth, him pressing another soft kiss to my lips. "Get some sleep." I only nodded, unable to say anything, and closed my eyes, leaning my head against his chest.
I opened my eyes the slightest bit, light flooding in. I squinted, moving my leg the slightest bit, and hissed in pain, the gash in my leg throbbing. I looked up to see Shikamaru asleep, a tense look on his face. He was probably dreaming about the deep shit we were in. My head snapped to my right when I sense a chakra, it being closest to Shikamaru. I forced back a groan in pain, grabbing a kunai out of my pouch and forced myself into a squat, the pain in my leg excruciating. I knew it was infected. At my movement, Shikamaru woke up, looking at me.
"What?"
"Someone's here. They might've found us."
"Tessa! Shikamaru!" Sango's voice shouted. I felt my body relax, sitting on my butt and relieving the pressure on my legs.
"Sango?" Shikamaru put his hand on my mouth, alarmed.
"It could be a trap, or a transformation jutsu. We don't know what happened to them." He whispered. I gulped, looking back at the waterfall in front of the cave entrance, no one entering yet, until Ami walked in.
"Well damn, guess my goddaughter doesn't recognize me." Ami said dramatically. I looked down and saw her leg wrapped in bandages.
"A-Ami.." i spoke, tearing up. I felt so relieved it was actually her. We were gonna be okay.
"Are you okay?!" Ami said, coming closer to me. Behind her, Aoi, Sango, and Kiba entered the cave. I looked at all of them relieved and tried to move but winced.
"She's got an infection in her leg from a cut on some rocks in the river yesterday, and Angel had a fever last night." Shikamaru said. We both looked over to see Naruto sleeping close to Angel, neither making any indication that they knew the others were there. Kiba didn't say anything, but smirked at the two.
"Angel's gonna freak out." Aoi smirked.
"Shoten Kisshun." Ami spoke softly. I looked and saw her make a small shield appear, healing my leg as Aoi started poking Naruto. I let out another hiss at Ami trying to heal me, but then sighed, feeling the pain in my leg slowly dissipate. Naruto made a noise before sitting up straight and yelling.
"Ahh! We're being attacked!"
"Well good morning you two lovebirds." Aoi said smirking. Angel woke up, but was too sick to get embarrassed or angry. I looked back at Ami, and looked at her serious.
"Where's the Prince?" I asked. She was focusing on my leg though, so she didn't answer me.
"They caught him." Said Kiba seriously. Akamaru whined on top of his head.
"We were outnumbered, and I got injured. We had to retreat." Ami said, looking at me sadly. My eyes widened, and I leaned forward, ignoring Ami's protests.
"Is he.." Kiba looked down at his feet.
"We don't know." I let out a sigh, and slammed my fist into the ground, cursing.
"Damn you are burning up girl. Like, seriously." Aoi said. I looked over to see her checking on Angel.
"I don't know how to heal a fever yet...I didn't know what to do."
"It's okay, medical jutsu takes years to learn. Our clan drills it in our heads at 3 years old." Aoi said as she healed Angel. "Plus, knowing Angel, she probably had a super bad panic attack from falling into the river." I nodded, looking at every one in the cave.
"What are we gonna do?" I asked, finally stopping to look at Shikamaru. He sighed.
"What a drag. Have you guys seen where he's being held?" He asked, looking at Ami.
"The castle. A few ninja are protecting the outside." Ami said, looking at Angel worried. Shikamaru nodded.
"If we can get in, we can find out where the Prince is and go from there. But we'll need someone stealthy to do it."
"Sango, can you do it?" Ami asked, looking at her. "Gathering intel is kind of your thing."
"Alright I guess." Sango replied. "Maybe Angel too if she's better." Angel nodded.
"I'm fine." Shikamaru nodded.
"If Angel is feeling better, that might be good. I think you should also take Kiba for his sense of smell."
"Okay, so any idea on how to get in?" Sango sighed.
"Gotta find a spot that only has one ninja and knock him out without anyone noticing."
"Alright. Take Kiba and go. Come back with the information and I can figure out a plan. But be careful and do not get spotted. Got it?" He asked seriously.
"Roger." Sango said.
It had been a couple hours since the team left, and I could feel my anxiety rising.
"Where are they?" I asked, nervously.
"They're fine." Shikamaru said, not showing any worry.
"Did you guys miss me already?" Sango asked, popping out of nowhere.
"Sango!" I smiled.
"We're back!" Angel said cheerfully.
"Why..are you two...so..fast.." Kiba asked, out of breath. I giggled as Kiba hit the ground on his back, catching his breath.
"Do you remember the layout of the castle?" Shikamaru asked. Sango nodded.
"Yes. And the Prince is alive." Sango said, a tiny bit irritated.
"The Prince told Sango she had a nice butt before leaving." Angel said. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, solitude hasn't changed him at least." Shikamaru nodded, reaching behind him and pulling out a scroll from his pouch. He placed it on the ground, rolling it open. Next he pulled out a small brush and some ink.
"Can you draw the layout?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yeah." Sango said, walking over and kneeling down, starting to draw. Angel smirked at Kiba who was still laying on the ground and panting for breath.
"Compared to Might Guy training Lee, my mom is brutal. If you're not fast, she'll make you fast." Angel said, making Ami laugh awkwardly.
"Arf!" Akamaru barked, pouncing his front paws on Kiba's chest.
"Okay, okay, I'm up buddy." Kiba chuckled, sitting up having caught his breath. I looked over to see Sango drawing and sat next to her, looking at the layout of the castle as she drew.
"Done." Sango said. "The dot is where the Prince is being kept." I looked down and examined the scroll.
"Did you see where they have guards stationed? Or the ninja that attacked us?" Shikamaru asked. Sango sighed.
"They have guards in the front and back. I had to knock out one of them in order to see the Prince. We have to plan some sort of sneak attack, cause we're slightly outnumbered, and the ninja that attacked us earlier are in the castle." Shikamaru nodded, staring at the scroll, before marking places in the front and back that the guards were. Shikamaru continued to stare for a moment.
"Any ideas?" I asked, looking at him. He glanced up at me before looking down at the scroll again. After a moment, he sat back with his legs crossed, closing his eyes and touching his fingers together in his lap. He was coming up with a strategy.
"The traditional Shikamaru thinking pose." Aoi said, watching with excitement. I giggled, and sat back, sitting with my knees pulled up, watching him focus. He didn't move for some time, his body frozen. After a while, Shikamaru opened his eyes, looking at all of us and nodding.
"Alright. Here's what we're gonna do."
"Shikamaru, this is so embarrassing. I swear to god, I'm gonna kill you later." I said using the ear piece in my ear.
"Yeah yeah, i'll make it up to you later, woman." He said. I rolled my eyes, still crawling as quietly as possible. When I got to a grate, I looked down. A few guards, but thats it.
"One second." I whispered, before carefully opening the grate and letting myself fall to the ground, landing lightly on my feet. I appeared behind the guards, knocking them all out easily, since they had no chakra use. After they were all knocked out, I walked to the door, unlocking and opening it to see Shikamaru, Angel, and Naruto with guards knocked out and tied up.
"That was longer than a second." Shikamaru said, slightly teasing. I rolled my eyes, giving a smirk. '
"There's no pleasing you, is there?"
"You two are cute." Angel said, staring at the both of us.
"Stop flirting." Naruto said, slightly annoyed. I laughed.
"Oh yeah, guess you don't wanna see your sister flirting huh?" I teased.
"Little sister!" Naruto corrected.
"Alright, thats enough. Tess, back in the vent." Shikamaru said seriously. I groaned, headed back toward the vent opening.
"I'd like to see you get in there." I mumbled under my breath, hopping back up and closing the grate behind me. I crawled, following Shikamaru and the others, watching to make sure they were okay. "Just remember to tell me which way you're going, or I can't keep an eye on you." I said in the earpieces to everyone.
"All this dust.." Aoi complained in the earpiece.
"Aoi, did you let everyone else in?" Asked Shikamaru.
"Yes." She suddenly sneezed.
"Okay. Sango, Kiba, and Ami, go ahead and dispose of the guards while Aoi watched your backs. We'll slowly make our way to the Prince."
"I'll try to watch for the ninja. I can't sense them because they're masking their chakra." I spoke quietly, still keeping eyes on Shikamaru, Naruto, and Angel.
"Same, I can't sense anything." Angel said worried.
"Lets just keep moving. Keep an eye out." He said, peeking around a corner. "Tessa, right." I nodded, turning right at the junction I was at. "Are you guys getting close to the Prince?" Shikamaru asked in the earpiece.
"Yup, but this is going too easy. Something ain't right." Sango said in the ear piece.
"You're telling me." I responded. I glanced over at what I thought was movement, and yelled. "Shikamaru!" I threw a kunai through the grate, making it stick into the floor behind him. They all turned around a ninja's camouflage dissipating.
"Hm, so there's one up there, huh? Kokoro?" A hand ripped through the metal of the air-vent and grabbed my ankle, ripping me down and out of it, slamming me into a wall with my back. I groaned and opened my eyes, seeing a woman with icy blue hair, ice forming under her feet.
"Hm, a bunch of brats, huh? Looks like you all need to go back to school." Kokoro said, looking back at the previously camouflaged man. "Right Moroke?"
"Uh, Shika, any ideas?" Angel asked him.
"Looks like we're cornered." He said, his eyes gazing between the two. "There's another behind us." A male laugh erupted, and another man stepped out from around the corner.
"Looks like these brats aren't as dumb as they look."
"Shit." Angel said, pulling out a kunai.
"Oh yeah, i'll show you stupid!" Naruto shouted, running at the man.
"Naruto, wait!" I yelled, getting up.
"Naruto, don't be reckless!" Angel yelled, running behind him.
"You're not going anywhere!" The woman in front of me yelled, throwing a frost covered Kunai at me. I hopped over it, dodging but staying where I was. Guess I gotta fight her. I turned my head to see Angel catching up with Naruto.
"Where do you think you're going?!" Moroke yelled, throwing a kunai at Angel. Shikamaru threw one as well, blocking it and knocking it away as Angel continued running.
"Ami, we've got trouble. Do you have the Prince?" Shikamaru asked, backing way from Moroke.
"Yes, he's safe!" Ami said in the earpiece.
"Good. Keep him safe, we'll try to deal with these guys." Shikamaru said. I saw the woman in front of me make really fast hand signs.
"Ice Style: Ice Pillar!" She shouted, putting her hand to the ground. The ground underneath me began to rise, and I jumped from it, to the ground. The pillar went straight up, slamming into the ceiling. "Shit-" another one raised, then more, me trying to dodge all of them.
"Ninja Art: Wind Scythe Jutsu!" I heard Moroke say. I turned my head to see him sending the wind at Shikamaru.
"Pay attention, or you'll make this too easy!" Kokoro shouted. "Ninja Art: Snow Blind Jutsu!" She held her hands toward me, my eyes suddenly getting extremely cold. The world before me went a light bluish color, but I couldn't see anything.
"What the-" Something hit me in the stomach, making me slam into the wall with my back, spitting blood out. Damn she's strong. I went to stand up, but a hand grabbed my hair, slamming my head into the wall. I groaned in pain, the hand holding me there.
"Look at you, you're pathetic." I growled and filled my fist with chakra, slamming it in front of me. The woman yelled in pain, flying backwards. I concentrated my magic a little, using it to force the ice off of my eyes, finally being able to see.
"You're just a pain in my ass, and I'm already over it." I said. I made some quick hand signs, and put my hand to my mouth. "Ninja Art: Lightning Bolt Fury!" I built up my chakra, spitting out balls of Lightning, sending them flying at her. She dodged all except one, which made her fall to her knees in pain. I panted for breath, feeling my throat burn from the intense lightning. That one I didn't like to use much, but I didn't have much choice at the moment.
"Ninja Art: Wind Explosion!" A voice yelled. Something big slammed into me, making me yell in pain, flinging me backwards. I hit the ground on my stomach, my body hurting. I looked at my hands to see cuts littering them, my face stinging as well.
"Tessa!" Shikamaru yelled. I looked up in time to see Kokoro slamming a fist of ice into Shikamaru, flinging him backwards as well.
"S-Shika..maru.." i struggled, trying to push myself to sit upright. "N-Naruto.." I struggled, seeing him weakened from fighting the other guy, who was completely knocked out. It looked like Naruto used his Rasengan. Angel was injured, her bleeding from her stomach, and she was lying on the ground, struggling to get up.
"So, you're the leader huh? What now, leader?" Moroke mocked, gripping Shikamaru by his Flak Jacket, a kunai pressed into his back. Shikamaru gritted his teeth.
"Man, what a drag. You think they're gonna do what you want cause you have me?" He asked. His eyes flickered to me, making me force myself up. I tried to stand, but Kokoro pierced Shikamaru's shoulder with an Ice Spike, making him yell in pain, and me stop, my eyes widening.
"So, you gotta soft spot for him, huh kid? Don't you know ninja die in battle?" I gritted my teeth, glaring at her, trying to see what I could do. One mistake, and its all over. I saw Angel behind them force herself to a stand, but after a few steps, she fell back to the ground. "Weak." Kokoro said, giving her a nasty grin. I looked over at Angel, who was still struggling to move, and Naruto, who was panting with exhaustion.
"So? What happens now?" Moroke smirked, digging the kunai into Shikamaru's back. I moved my foot, about to do something, when Shikamaru shouted.
"Don't, Tess! Just get the Prince and go. They're not gonna kill me, I know your guys' weaknesses. They'll need me. Just leave. Please." He said, looking at me seriously. I heard the tone in that please though. I felt frustration filling me, and anger that I couldn't do anything. I moved my foot again, and Kokoro grabbed Shikamaru by his neck, yanking him and slamming him into the wall, her hand around his throat. He looked at me through one eye, baring his teeth with the pain.
"Stop!" I yelled, me falling to my knees. I felt the tears fall down my face, as I saw Shikamaru struggling to find a way out of this. "Please.." I cried. "Don't hurt him. I'm begging you." I said, my voice wavering. Kokoro laughed, looking at me.
"You're pathetic." I saw Kokoro make a hand sign with her single free hand, making an ice spike pop up from the ground, running right through Angel's leg, making her scream out in pain. "I'm having so much fun with this." She said darkly.
"Stop! Stop it!" I screamed, crawling forward.
"Nah. I don't think I will." She turned back to Shikamaru, taking a kunai in her hand, aiming for his ribs.
"Stop! STOP!" I watched in slow motion as Kokoro dug the kunai into Shikamaru's side, him screaming in pain, blood dripping out of his mouth. She only laughed, letting him drop to the floor. I crawled next to him, putting his head on my lap and leaning down.
"Shikamaru!" Blood started coming out of the sides of his mouth, making my eyes widen. I built my chakra up and placed them on his wound, trying to heal him as much as I could with what little experience I had. I heard Angel say something, but it was too quiet for me to make it out. I felt sobs shaking my body, me looking at Shikamaru's face. "Shikamaru, stay with me, please!" I shouted, my voice shaking. He looked up at me, mumbling.
"What..a drag.." His eyes closed, my heart stopping as they did.
"No. No no no no no, Shika, wake up. Wake up!" I screamed, sobbing. I stopped my healing, leaning down and pressing my forehead against his, my body shaking in both pain and sorrow. He was dead, Shikamaru died.
"I told you. Ninja die all the time. You're just pathetic." Tears dripped from my eyes onto Shikamaru's face. Suddenly I stopped crying, feeling a surge of power.
Itama..?
I heard a loud growl, and my head shot up. I felt angry. So angry. I felt a few of my teeth growing to a sharp point, sticking out the slightest bit. My cuts and injuries felt better already, me feeling overflowing with chakra. I tilted my head back and let out a loud roar, the room around us swirling with wind and chakra.
"What?! What is that chakra?!" Kokoro said, putting her arm in front of her face. I saw in front of me, that Ami had appeared along with the others. I roared again in anger, looking up at the roof, holding Shikamaru's head under my hand. The others went to check on Naruto and Angel, Ami coming slowly towards me.
"Tess, it's okay now, let me help Shikamaru, okay?" She said softly. I acknowledged her, but gently set Shikamaru's head down before looking up at the enemy ninja, dark blue eyes glaring. Kokoro gasped before I disappeared, hitting my foot into her throat and slamming her against the wall.
"Kokoro!" My head snapped over to Moroke, and I disappeared again, slamming my fist into his face, flinging him backwards. Kokoro behind me gasped for breath, struggling to stand. I turned towards her, appearing in front of her and grabbing her throat, squeezing until I heard a snap. "No! Kokoro!" Moroke screamed. In an instant, Ami appeared in front of me, a seal in her hand. I dropped Kokoro's body and ducked as Ami appeared in front of me, attempting to put the seal on my forehead.
"Stay out of this, Zorro." Itama's and I's voice said combined. I turned back towards Moroke, slowly walking towards him.
"I'm not going to let you take her, you disgusting monster." Ami replied. I snarled, my sharp teeth showing, but looked back at Moroke.
"Your turn." I appeared behind him, grabbing his head and body, twisting it with a sickening crack, his body falling limply onto the ground.
"Dammit!" I heard Ami curse. I saw her appear in front of me, and I growled, when something smacked me in the back of the neck. I felt the seal on me. I gritted my teeth, trying to fight it, but unable to. I tilted my head up again, letting out another roar, the chakra leaving my body with it. I struggled to hold myself up, but fell to my knees, holding myself up with my hands. The Ami in front of me disappeared with a poof, the real one coming up behind me.
"You okay?" Ami asked, hugging me. I felt my eyes glazed over for a moment before coming into focus, my mind as well. I quickly pulled myself away from Ami.
"Shikamaru!" I appeared next to him, tears filling my eyes again. His eyes were closed, a soft smile on his face, dried blood around his mouth.
"He's okay Tess, he's breathing." Aoi said softly. I looked at Ami gratefully, and broke into sobs, leaning down and hugging Shikamaru, my face pressed into his neck and my hair covering the both of us.
"T-Thank you." I said to Ami. "Thank you."